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Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy, died today in a Massachusetts hospital. The 88-year-old was the mother of Maria Shriver—TV personality and wife of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger—and was best known for founding the Special Olympics. A life-long crusader for the intellectually disabled, Shriver was inspired by the struggles of her sister, Rosemary, who was mildly retarded and underwent a lobotomy. In 1984, President Reagan awarded Shriver the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work, and last year, Sports Illustrated honored her with its first-ever Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award. "She always strived to be the best, and she in many respects has made such an extraordinary difference in the lives of so many people around the world," said her brother, Senator Ted Kennedy, who lived next door to Shriver in Hyannis Port. The pair could be seen taking rides in a golf cart when the senator felt well. Shriver's health had declined over the past few years after a series of strokes.